Former Pillowtex worker introduces Obama

RALEIGH -- Gloria Craven, a former Pillowtex worker who lost her job when the company went bankrupt in 2003, introduced Sen. Barack Obama to the crowd gathered at his Raleigh campaign stop Tuesday.

Craven talked about the unrealistic promises made to millworkers who lost their jobs. Offers of college and training for new careers did not represent real opportunities for older employees who grew up expecting to spend their working lives in mills and could barely read and write, she said.

Craven attended community college with help from a federal program for workers who lose their jobs because of increased imports. She said she graduated in May 2006 but cannot work as a respiratory therapist because of health problems related to her years standing on concrete floors.

"We need someone who will not send our jobs overseas anymore," Craven told the crowd. "We've been heading in the wrong direction."

Craven and her husband, Jacob, live on his Social Security benefits and their monthly pensions of $111 and $104.

People who pay close attention to campaign ads might recognize the 56-year-old Eden resident. She has appeared in ads for U.S. Rep. Brad Miller and U.S. Senate candidate Kay Hagan, both Democrats.

Craven wasn't prepared, though, for a call to introduce Obama. Craven said when someone from Raleigh called her Sunday night, she didn't know who it was and hung up.

They called back. Craven got another call at noon Monday with the message that Obama wanted to hear her story.

Craven spent a few minutes with Obama on Tuesday before introducing him. She said he talked mostly to her grandson, Zane Hazzard, 11, about his coming year at school.